Apparatus for applying fastenings to envelops, &amp;c.



W. RICHARDSON.

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING FASTENINGS T0 ENVELOPS, 61c.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 30,19]?- 1,239,968. PatentedSe/pt. 11, 1917.

6 SHEETS -SHEET 3- F/ga iii 0/4 A w. RICHARDSON. APPARATUS FOR APPLYING FASTENINGS T0 ENVELOPS, 6w. APPLICATIQN FILEDAPR- 30. I911.

1,239,968. PatentedSept. 11, 1917.

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W. RICHARDSON.

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING FASTENINGS T0 ENVELOPS, 5m. APPLICATION FILED APR. 30, 1917.

1,239,968. PatentedSept. 11,1917.

6 $HEETSSHEET 5- W. RICHARDSON. APPARATUS FOR APPLYING FASTENINGS T0 ENVELOPS, &c.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 30, I917- patentedsept. 11

6 SHEETSSHEEI' 6.

C42 I I A:

b 46 p C43 5 b c E i C M I H54 7 bl C C42 5] vwewtoz Si n, A) atto'zwz WALTER RICHARDSON, OF NEW YORK, If. Y.

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING rnsrmrmcs TO &c.

Specification of Letters Intent.

Patented Sept. 11, 1917.

Original application filed Kay 10, 1916 Serial No. 96,698. Pivided and this application fled April so, 1917.

Serial No. 185,444.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER Rromaoson, a citizen of the United States, and a resi dent of the borough of Manhattan, city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improve-- ments in Apparatus for Applying Fasten 9 the receptacle part, is used in comunction with a perforation formed for its reception on the flap, to secure the latter in closed relationship to said receptacle part in. a

manner now well known in the art,the

flap perforation being ordinarily reinforced by annular washers or patches applied to opposite sides of the flap, and one of said annular reinforcing patches, the one on the outside of the flap, frequently bearing an imprint. These results have heretofore been attained b the use of three separate machines, invo ving three separate han dlings or manipulations, also necessitating transfer from one machine to another, and involving considerable waste of time and effort, to say nothing of the initial cost of three machines, and of the power consumed in running them.

The present application is a subdivision of my application Serial No. 96,693, filed May 10, 1916, .and relates more particularly to means for adjusting the clip feed channel'relative to the cli -applying mechanism; to the adjustment 0 the envelo feed gage table with relation to the reinibrcing and imprint mechanism, as well as with relation to said clip-applying mechanism; and to the specific constructlon of the laten plate provided for the imprint die, a ashereinafter fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1, is'a front elevation of the apparatus;

Fig. 2, is an endelevation thereof;

Fig. 3, is a plan thereof;

Fig. 4, is what may be designated as a front view of the feed hopper, channel, etc,

to means for as they are positioned in the machine so that the open face of the feed channel is in full view of the operator; 7

Fig. 1s an elevation, partly in section,

taken at right angles to Fig. 4;

6, is a transverse section taken upon a horizontal plane, line 66, Fig. 5 of the channel standard U, looking downward;

Fig. 7, is a perspective view of one of the relief gates provided at the lower end of the feed channel;

Fig. 8, is a perspective view of the feed check lever or gate escapement;

Fig. 9, a view upon a larger scale of the lower part of the feed channel partly broken away and in section to show the operation of the feed check or escapement;

Fig. 10, is a transverse section taken upon plane of line 1010, Fig. 9;

Fig. 11, is a perspective view of the clip rest at the bottom of the feed channel;

Fig. 12, is a rear or inside view of the rotatable feed hopper, the feed channel being shown in dotted lines;

Fig. 13, is a horizontal sectional elevation taken upon plane of line 13.13, Fig. 4;

Fig. 14, is an elevation on a larger scale ofthe inner face of the hopper plate, the

rotatable hopper being omitted;

Fig. 15, is a perspective viewof the hop per return guard;

Fig. 16, is a top 'view of the feed hopper etc;

Fig. 17, is a horizontal section taken upon line 1717, Fig; 14, but on a smaller scale;

' 18, is a perspective view of the adjusta le foot or bracket on which the feed channel standard is supported;

Fig. 19, is a perspective view of the ad plane of line 20-20, Fig. 20;

.Fig. 22, is a sectional elevation, full size, the relative positions of the dies, etc, prior to action;

Fig. 23, is a similar view illustrat the action of the tpatch cutting and app ying dies, and also at of the printing dle;

Fig. 24, is a horizontal section taken upon plane of line 2323, Fig. 22;

Fig. 25, is a perspective view of the imprint die block;

Fig. 26, is a perspective view of the antifrietion printing platen plate;

Fig. 24, is a view of a portion of an envelo flap showing an imprint on the outer rein orcing patch;

Fig. 28, is a sectional elevation similar to Figs. 22 and 23, illustrating the action of the perforating and wad-ejection punch;

Figs. 29 and 30, are sectional elevations illustrating in detail the clip applying mechanism and the operation thereof;

Fig. 31, is a perspective view of a two prong clip fastening before application to the body portion of an envelop;

Fig. 32, is a sectional view of a portion of an envelop body and clip applied thereto;

Fig. 33, is a sectional view of an envelop flap formed with a prong-receiving opening reinforced by patches;

Fig. 3l, is a view of a portion of the right hand or outside patch strip after being subjected to the action of the patch dies and printing die and the ejector punch;

Fig. 35, is an elevation of the envelop feed gage table and its adjustable supports, showing an envelop in position thereon, and showing by dotted lines the table in an inclined position;

Fig. 36, is a horizontal section and plan on a smaller scale taken upon plane of line 30-ac, Fig.

Fig. 37, is a pers ective view of the envelop gage, detache Fig. 38, is an elevation of the reinforcing patch strip feed mechanism taken on the left side thereof;

Fig. 39, is a front elevation thereof;

Fig. 40, is a sectional detail on a larger scale taken upon plane of line .40, Fig. 38;

Fig. 41, is a horizontal section taken upon plane of line 41'l1, Fig. 38;

Fig. 42, is an isometrical view of one of the patch strip feed guards;

Fig. 43, is an isometrical view of one of the scrapers used on the feed rollers as shown in Figs. 39 and 40;

Fig. H is an enlarged detail of the feed rolls, ratchet and hand lever;

Fig. -15, is an elevation, partly in section, of the power clutch mechanism;

Fig. 46, is a transverse section upon plane of line 4M6, Fig.

Fig. 47, is a detail view of the cam portion of the clutch sleeve;

Fig. 48, is a detail view of the inner or free end of the feed cam lever;

Fig. 49, is a sectional detail upon a larger scale than Fig. 48, of certain parts of the :yelet-riveting punch;

Fig. 50, 1s a sectional detail taken upon plane of line -50, Fig. 29, showing means for effecting the lateral horizontal adjustmerit of the eyelet-riveting punch;

Fig. 51, is a perspective view of the open end of an envelop after treatment by my apparatus Fig. 52, is a view like unto Fig. 9, on the same sheet of drawings, showing the reverse position of, the clip escapement and the release doors open, the latter having been omitted from Fig. 9, except as indicated therein in dotted lines.

In the drawings a, a, represent the basic frame or table of the machine supported on legs a, a. Looking from the front of the apparatus, as in Fig. l, the cam shaft C, may be said to extend transversely across the table a, being mounted in bearings a, a and being held against longitudinal movement by the cams 0, G which abut against the inner sides of said bearings a a and act, in this respect, as retaining collars on the cam shaft C, for the purpose designated.

Upon the right extremity of the cam shaft C, is loosely mounted a power pulley P, the hub of which is-formed with an annular groove p, within which rests a detent 0, mounted upon a collar 0', rigidly secured on the end of the shaft C. Thus the detent 0,

allows the power pulley P, to rotate freely 9 on the shaft C, while holding it against longitudinal movement thereon.

Splined to the shaft C, as shown in Fig. 46, so as to be slidable thereon longitudinally between the right hand bearing a, and the power pulley P, 'is the clutch sleeve 0*, formed with jaw teeth 0 for engagement with corresponding jaw teeth 7), on the left hand side of the hub of-the power pulley P. In Fig. 45, to which reference may be had for a clear understanding of the power clutch mechanism, the jaw teeth 0 and p, are shown in solid lines as out of engagement because the clutch sleeve 0, is retracted against the resistance of the compressible spring a, which is seated in a recess formed for its reception in the lower part of the journal bearing a and which tends constantly, by its action on the plunger 0 to thrust the clutch sleeve 0", into engagement with the hub of the power pulley P, to thereby rotate the cam shaft C. The clutch sleeve 0, is held in its retracted position by a spring latch or bolt b, which engages normally with an annular shoulder a, on the clutch sleeve 0, but which, when withdrawn by the depression of the foot pedal or tread B, acting through the medium of the connecting rod 6, and rock lever 6 (against the resistance of the retractile spring 6 see Fig. 2) on which lever the bolt b is mounted releases the clutch sleeve to the impulse of the compression spring a. When the foot pedal B, is released the spring I) returns the treadle and connections to normal position with the bolt 6, (which may be in the form of a roller) again protruding into the path of the cam portion a, of the clutch sleeve shoulder 0, so that by its continued rotation with the shaft C, the cam sleeve 0, will force itself out of engagement with the hub of the power pulley P, thereb releasing the cam shaft C until the trea e is again depressed to release the clutch sleeve and effect another cycle of operation,it being understood of course, that the apparatus is practically at rest while a finished envelop is being removed and another substituted, and that the treadle B, is depressed only when a new envelop is in position for treatment. When at' rest in normal position the bolt 3) contacts with a shoulder 0, adjacent to the apex of the cam portion c ,"of the clutch sleeve 0, as shown in Fig. 47.

- The left end of the cam shaft C, is provided with a hand wheel 0 to facilitate the turning and manipulation of the shaft and cams for any reason when the clutch sleeve 0, is not in engagement with the hub of the power pulley P, as for the purposes of inspection, cleaning dies etc. In such case the clutch sleeve 0*, is positively held out of engagement with the hub of the power pulley by a cotter pin 0, inserted through a hole 0 drilled in the clutch sleeve 0', and into engagement with a hole 0'', in the cam shaft C, as shown in Fig. 46, or by any other mechanical expedient.

The hand wheel 0 is made of such weight and proportion as also to act as a fly wheel to steady and complete the rotation of the cam shaft.

The combined function of the apparatus, as heretofore intimated, is, at one cycle of operation, to punch a clip prong receiving hole in an envelop flap and apply thereto around said hole an inner reinforcing patch to the inner side of the flap and an outer reinforcing patch to the outer side of the flap while making an imprint on the patch strip for the next succeeding outer patch, and while riveting and securing an eyelet clip to the body portion of the en velop in position for subsequent engagement with the reinforced clip hole.

The cams C, C, C, are rigidly attached to the shaft 0. Cam 0, actuates, through the medium of the cam lever D, the inner patch die I, and the clip eyelet rivet punch R; and cam C actuates, through the medium of the cam lever D, the outer patch die K, and the imprint or type die N; while the cam C actuates, through the medium of the cam lever D, the ejector punch E, which punches the central clip hole throu h both reinforcing patches and throu h t e envelop flap after they are applied t ereto, and then efiects the ejectment of this central waste through the inner atch die I, as hereinafter more fully set orth. The cam levers D', D, D, are of the second order, being fulcrumed to the table a, at their rear extremities, as at d,d, d, the power being applied to their medially positioned cam pins which protrude into the respective .grooves of the cams C, C, C, and bein transmitted by the outer or front ends 0 said cam levers, as above intimated, to the path dies I, K, printing plunger N, and punches R, E.

A fourth cam C, also rigidly attached to the cam shaft C, is the patch strip feed cam which actuates the mechanism by which the patch strips 8, s, are drawn through the apparatus. The patch strips 8, s, as ordinarily used consist of ribbons of paper a, 8, one side of each of which is coated with an adhesive which is moistened prior to the feeding of the strips to the patch dies I, K, E, and on opposite sides of an envelop flap f, inserted between them, the action of the dies severing a reinforcing ring 8'', 8', from each strip 8, s and applying them to the envelop flap f, with the result shown in Fig. 33. Thus, as shown in the drawings, spools of spindles a, a, projecting from a cross bar a attached to the front legs of the machine, and from these spools a, thepatch ribbons or strips 8', s, are fed to and over idler rollers, g, g, which moisten the adhesive on the inner side of each strip, the moistening rollers being partially immersed in water (as shown on the right of Fig. 21) contained in pans or holders g, g, suspended from the bed a, of the apparatus upon brackets a, a. g, g, are covers to protect the receptacles g g, from extraneous matter. It is obvious that if ungummed strips 8, s, are used, the adhesive may be applied by the idler rollers g g,a liquid adhesive being substituted for the water.

From the moistening rollers g, g, the paper patch ribbon paper 8', s, are mounted on strips 8, 8, pass up through slots 0, a", in

'around the peripheries of said forwarding rolls d, (1 The strip 8', passes through a guide a which prevents it from contacting with the other strip 8, until they converge to the rollers d, d, as above stated.

The shafts of the forwarding rollers 11, d, are mounted in a. rectangular frame a, forming the upper portion of the standard a, rigidly secured to the base or table a, to

which standard a", the strip guide d,

above referred to is also rigidly attached. The journals of the lower roll d, have fixed bearings but the journals of the upper roll (7. rest in vertical slots 4', in the side members of the frame a". (as shown in the case of one in Figs. 1 and 40) and are held down by elastic resilient pressure so as to tend constantly to maintain peripheral contact between the rolls d, d, while allowing the upper roll d, to accommodate itself to the combined thickness of the patch strips 8, 8 when inserted between said forwarding rolls. The lower roll (P, is intermittently rotated positively at each revolution of the cam shaft C, a peripheral space equivalent to the distance between the centers of adjoining circular openings 8 formed in the strips 8, 8 by the removal of the reinforcing patches 3", .9 so that the feed is uniform and automatic. This automatic intermittent rotation of the forwarding rolls i (Z is effected by means of a ratchet wheel d, actuated by a pawl d, the two rolls (Z (Z being made to rotate in unison by intermeshing gears d, 01 attached to their respective shafts as will be seen more particularly by reference to Fig. 88. The pawl d, is attached at its lower extremity to the inner free end of a cam lever D which is pivotally supported at its other end upon a bifurcated standard a, on the frame bed a, as seen more particularly in Figs. 2, 3, and 38. The cam C, is of the peripheral type, having the eccentric portion c, by which the cam lever D, is raised and having also the depression 0", with which the free end of the detent D engages as shown in Fig. 38, when the parts are at rest,said detent D being pivotally supported on the bifurcated standard a, and having a compression spring d interposed between its outer end and the table a. The function of the detent D is to prevent back rotation of the cam shaft C, under all circumstanccs.

The ratchet wheel cl, may be also actu atcd independently of the pawl (Z by a small hand lever d, fulcrumed on the shaft of the roll (Z and provided with a spring pawl d, (see more particularlyFig. 4A) which, when said lever d, is depressed, pulls over said ratchet wheel d, rotating the rolls (P, d, sufiiciently to facilitate the introduction by hand of the waste strips 5" between the rolls as a preliminary to starting the machine; or the hand pawl lever d, may be utilized for the purpose of advancing the feed of patch strips 8', 8 if rendered desirable for any reason during the use of the apparatus. Each roll d, (1 is provided with a scraper 41*, by which it is kept free of gum, 'fiber, etc., that would otherwise collect thereon.

During the ordinary operation of the machine the cam C, in rotating raises the cam distance between the centers of the reinforring washers s", 8 as severed from the strips 8, s. The pawl (Z is hinged or articulary attached to the cam lever D, by any mtc'nanical expedient, as by passing a tongue '11, through a slot in the said lever and securing same by a cotter pin, as shown in Fig. $8, or otherwise. Said pawl (Z is held in contact with the ratchet wheel d, by spring (Z attached to the lever D".

The bifurcated forward end of the cam lever D, straddles the hollow patch die tube I, which is mounted slidably in the bearings z", and '5 both of which, in the construction shown in the drawings, form part of the table bracket 2', as will be seen more particularly by reference to Fig. 21, said bracket 71, being secured to rigid extensions a, and-(1. of the table or base a. The said forward end of the cam lever D, rests bc tween a collar 2', and a lateral extension arm 1', both of which are rigidly attached to the die tube I. The inner end 2'." of the die tube I, constitutes the male die, which, in conjunction with the female die severs the left hand reinforcing patch from the strip 8. The female die j, is secured to the right hand side of the bearing i bOLWQOll which and the inner face of said female die j, is the strip slot a, through which the ribbon .9, passes up to the guide a on its way to the forwarding rolls (1*, d", as before stated.

The right hand or outer patch die tube K, and the punch and ejector E, 'inlike manner are mounted in axial alinement with the left die tube I, in and between bearings e, e, forming part of the front bracket 6 supported rigidly on front extensions a, a, of frame base a. To the left or inner side of the bearing e, is fastened the female dle m, which. in conjunction with the male die end is", of the tube K, effects the severing of the patch a, from the portion of the patch strip 8 in the strip slot 01., and its transfer to the outer side of the envelop flap By reference to Fig. 23, it will be noted that the two male dies 1'", and 7:", act in conjunction to simultaneously press the patches just severed from the strips 8, 8 against the envelop flap 7', each die acting as an anvil for the other in this respect. The forward or work stroke of the right hand die tube K, is effected by the bifurcated outer end of the cam lever-I, which straddles said tube h, between collar nntsk, is, adjustable upon the threaded portion k of said tube K, as indicated particularly in Figs. 20 and 21. As before stated the right hand die tube K, is hollow, being formed with the axial bore k, in which the operative end a", of the dles the threaded shank c, of the ejector E,

0, between the collar nuts e, e, adjustable thereon for the purpose of compensating for awear etc.

The working thrust of the punch e", is timed to take effect when the two patches 8'', 8 have been premed forcibly against opposite sides of the envelop flap f, and are held there by and between the opposed faces of the male dies 2?, k", as shown in Fig. 23. Under these conditions the working thrust ofthe punch e", (the hollow end of the male die 1?, in this case acting as a female die for the time being) punches all three thicknesses of paper, 1'. 0., the patch 8, the envelop flap f,and the patch s", the severed material from each being, as a wad, forced into the longitudinal axialchannel 1?, (as indicated in Fig. 28) from the outer end of which it is finally ejected by the accumulation of wads from succeeding operations of the punch e", which thus obviously also performs the function of an ejector. The discharge channel i is made one thirty second of an inch larger in diameter than the cross section Ofthfi punch e", to afford clearance for the wads.

Rigidly secured to the right hand die'tube K, is the block N, upon which the print plunger N, is ri 'dly mounted, said plunger being mounted low the die tube K, and parallel therewith. The distance between the axes of the die K, and of the plunger N, is equal to that of the intermittent feed of the patch strips, so that the center of the imprint 41., made by'the type die n, will coincide with that of the next patch 8, to be severed from the patch strip 8 Hence it will be seen thatat each working stroke or thrust of the right hand die tube K, and ejector punch E, a patch a, will not only be severed and apphed to the outer side of the envelop flap f, but that the imprint n, for the next succeeding outside patch a", w'll also be made. This is illustrated in F g. 34, in which a portion of the patch strip a, is shown with the holes 8, made by theremoval of preceding patches, the patch a, just severed being shown as still in relative positiom whjle the imprint 41., made by the type die n, for the next succeeding patch is shown below. 7 The finished and applied patch 8, is also shown in Fig. 27.

The letters or characters n, to be imprinted on the outer patch a, are preferably made in relief on die a, formed with a shank fitting into a mortise formed for its reception in the end of the plunger N, or

otherwise constructed to be detachably connected, so that different dies 12?, may be substituted for diflerent runs of work according to requirements- The inkin for the imprint is done by means of a ri bon q, similar to those used in type writing machines, and fed intermit tently in an analogous manner. Thus the ribbon passes from the supply spool g, (Fig. 20) mounted on top of the bracket arm a", through the horizontal slot or recess 6', in the bearing e, and in front of the up spindle 9 mounted upon a pin a on a forward extension 6, of the bracket e, upon which the outer patch die tube K, and

ejector'punch E, are mounted. The spindle g, is provided with aratchet wheel 9, which is actuated by a flexible spring pawl 11", upon the front end of the cam lever D so that during the retractile thrust of the latter the spindle g, is partially rotated to advance the ink ribbon 9, prior to the next advance of the printing plunger N,the

print 7 die n, (see particularly Fig. 24) to the take the imprint die 71?, acts, but, owing to the fact that the gummed side of the patch strip 8, is opposed thereto, Iprefer to interpose between the plate m, and the said die n an anti-friction platen plate m shown in perspective in Fig. 26, and in horizontal section in Fig. 24. The distinctive feature of this platen plate m is that it is formed with a relief anvil surface m,

(annular in the present case) to oppose the impact of the die 12?, with the least possible contact with the gummed inner surface of the patch strip s ,-the clearance spaces in and around said relief anvil surface m reducing contact with the strip 8 to the minimum, and thereby preventing undue and unnecessary strain on the strip in forwarding it by tension through the machine as hereinbefore described. The plate m may be secured in place bya thumb screw m, or other mechanical expedient; and is readily removable for cleaning, substitution to compensate for wear, change in shape of imprint die n or other reason. This platen plate m is preferably made of brass on ac count of its well known non-adhesive qual-- ity, and also because of its immunity to chemical attack by the ingredients in the adhesive used.

The support for the anvil 0, for. the clip riveting or eyelet punch r" is formed by a. 7

forward extension of the die plate j, which is secured to the outer side of the bearing block 7?, forming part of the bracket 11, on which the die tube 1, is mounted. The

means of securing the pronged and eyeleted clip 25, shown in Fig. 31, to the envelop body f, will be understood most readily by referring to Fig. 29, which shows the relative positions of parts prior to the riveting action, and to Fig. 30, which illustrates the latter.

The eyelet riveting punch R, considered as a whole, is rigidly mounted on the extension arm 2', heretofore described as rigidly attached to the die tube I. Its operative end or shank 9', is further centralized and supported by passing through a bearing plate a, secured rigidly to the back of the lower extremity of the channel standard U,

which at this point is formed with a recess at, extending through it into which the shank r, of the punch R, protrudes when advanced as shown in Fig. 30. The punch proper, r", is tubular, and preferably formed by inserting a tube in the drilled end of the shank 1', as shown in detail in Fi 49,- an axial recess r, of less diameter t an the punch tube 7, being also drilled in the shank r, for the compressible spring 1'', which bears upon the head 1', of the centralizing pin 1". The diameters of the bore anvil 0, during the work thrust of the unch R. This it does by entering the eye et of the ch 15, and supporting the latter until the en of the centralizing pin 1', contacts with the upsetting die o when the continued advance of the punch R, causes the compression spring F, to yield to said pin 1'', and allow the end of the. punch tube 1", to push the eyelet of the clip through the portion f, of the body of the envelop and against the upsetting die 0, as illustrated in Fig. 30, and with the result shown in Fig. 32, in a manner well known in the art.

The punch R, may itself be made laterally adjustable and horizontally adjustable upon its supporting arm 2", by resort to an desired or well known mechanical expe ient, so that I do not limit myself in this respect, the main object being to rnish means whereby both punch R, and feed channel standard U, may be adjusted alike-in position as related to each other and as related to the relatively fixed axial positions of the dies and punch I, K, and E. As shown in the drawingsby way of illustration, referring particularly to Figs. 29, 30, and 50, the punch R, is mounted in a split box 2,

positioned in a longitudinal rectangular slot 2', formed for it in said supporting arm 11, which is also provided with binding screws 2, 2, arranged to contact with the upper half of the box e, at any position to which the box may be adjusted in said longltudinal slot 2'. The binding screws 2, a, are designed to secure the punch R, rigidly to the supporting arm 7?. i, is a collar upon the punch R, which facilitates the positioning of the punch accurately upon the arm a", as related to the channel standard U.

The fastening clips 2?, are fed to the rivet punch R, through the channel a, into the upper end of which they are fed by the rotatable conical portion of the hopper V, mounted upon a shaft V, which is journaled in a bearing u, supported upon the upper end of the channel standard U, and in a bearing 1, on the upper end of the standard V The bearing 1), is made ad'- justable horizontally, toward or from the front of the machine, upon the top of its standard V by any suitable means, as by slots 1), v, and screw bolts '0 '0 as shown in Figs. 16 and 19; and the channel standard U, is made correspondingly adjustable by being mounted near its lower extremity upon a foot piece U, formed with an elongated slot 14 through which a bolt u, passes to secure the foot piece U, and standard U, adjustably to the upper side of the hear ing i on the bracket 71. The positions of the foot piece U, and channel standard U, are indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 20, and the foot piece U, in section in Fig. 21.

The object of provision for the horizontal adjustment of the eyelet-riveting punch R, and the channel standard U, and bearing 1), on the standard V is to provide for the changing of these parts with relation to the patch dies I, K, and E, to compensate for variations in length of the envelop flaps to the bodies of which the clip fastenings are to be applied.

The bearing u, for the inner end of the feed shaft V, is formed in a plate V, attached to the upper end of the channel standard U, said plate V, being formed with a flat vertical surface 0 facing the inner side of the rotatable portion V, of the feed hopper, and with the receiving hopper a, into and through which the clips are dumped into said rotatable hopper V, as will be understood by reference more particularly to Fig. 5.

This figure, as well as Fi 13, show the manner in which the rotata le portion V, of the hopper is yieldably mounted on the inner end of said shaft V. That is to say said portion V, is not secured to its shaft V, to rotate positively therewith under all conditions, so that, in the event of a clog or jam in the feed e ween the face plate '1), and said rotatable portion V, of the hopper the latter will cease to rotate with its shaft V, thereby obviating damage. This result is attained by mounting the hub o, of the rotatableportion V, on a portion 4),

of the shaft V, formed with a shoulder 17 against which the hub 0 is pressed normall by a spring '0 held in position on the threaded end 12 of the shaft V, by a thumb nut '0 so as to be compressible more or less tightly against the outer face of the said rotatable conical section V, of the hopper. Hence, obviously, said section V, is held to rotate with its shaft V, only by the frictional resistance afforded b the elastic resilient pressure of said spring 12", so that when the resistance to rotation with the shaft '0 encountered by the conical part V, is greater than the frictional resistance exertedby the spring 1), the otherwise rotatable conical part V, will be held stationary with the face plate 0 and consequently the portion '0, of the shaft V, will simply slip around within the hub 0 of said conical part V. -Under such conditions it is needless to say that the conical section V, may be readily loosened upon the shaft V, or possibly removed, so that the cause of obstruction -may be quickly ascertained and remedied without danger of injury to any part of the =apparatus, and without delay or serious loss of time.

The feed shaft V, is held against longitudinal movement by its shoulder 42'', resting against one side of the bearing a, and by a collar 0 secured to the shaft V, and resting against the other side of said hearing 21. as shown in Figs. 5 and 13. A fixed pulley v on the shaft V, affords means whereby the conical section V, of the" hopper maybe continuously rotated at a moderate speed.

While I have thus provided as above set forth-for any unforeseen obstruction to the operation of the feed hopper I reduce danger thereof to the minimum degree by my means for, and method of, feeding the eyelet clips to the delivery channel u.

By reference to Fig. 12, it will be seen that the inner edge of the conical section V, of the feed hopper is formed with a series of equidistant tangential slots o, the open sides of which are opposed to the flat vertical surface 0 of the face plate V. The shoulder '0", on the shaft V, holds. the rotatable section V, so that its slotted edge is positioned, say,

one sixteenth of an inch (less than the depth of the eyelets but greater. than the thickness of the prongs) from said opposed surface '0 of the face plate V3, thus creating an annular space '2), between them suflicient to accommodate the prongs of the clips t, but not sufiicient to admit the eyelets of the clips, which however are free to enter the tangential slots a). AS a result of this construction the rotation of the conical section V, causes some of the clips to enter the space '0 with their eyelets projecting into the tangential slots '2), and to be carried around to' the mouth u, of the channel u, said mouth u being formed in the face of the plate V3, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 12, and shown in solid lines in Fig. 14:, by reference to which latter, and to Fig. 13, it will be seen that the mouth If, of the channel is also formed with overla' ping edges u, u, which are continuations of those on the channel u, shown in cross section in Fig. 6.

The clips thus forwarded in the direction of'the arrow, Fig. 12, drop into the mouth u, of the channel a, if there is room therein, otherwise they are carried over, controlled by the overlapping edge a, (see Fig. 14) to the deflector. o, by which they are shunted back into the mouth 0, of the hopper to be returned thereby to the rotatable section V.

- u, until required for use, by the check or escapement lever n", which is of the rock lever class, pivotally supported at u on the channel standard U, and is formed with points u, a, which contact alternately with the eyelets of the clips as they are checked off to the lower part of the channel. When at rest in normal position as shown in Fig. 9, the upper arm u, of the escapement lever u", rests against the side of the channel standard U, while when rocked over into the position shown in Fig. 52, its lower arm u, bears against said channel standard U. The point u", sustains the column of clips in the channel it, above as in Fig. 9-, until rocked back into the position shown in Fig. 52, when the point a, sustains the column of clips I temporarily until returned to normal POSI- tion as in Fig. 9, such return allowing the lowestclip to drop to its seat below, while the point a, intercepts the next succeeding clip and thereby again sustains the column of clips above.

The released clip descends from the escapement to a seat 11. at the bottom of the channel-u. This seat u, may be formed directly in the channel standard U, or may be formed punch R, as hereinbefore fully set forth,

under the action of which punch the gates yield, being closed normally by springs a, u ,-said gates u. u, being of course p1votally attached to the lower end of the channel standard U, as at u", '11.". The gates 11-, u, are also. provided with rear projections or handles a, a, by which they may be manually manipulated when access is desired to the seat 11?", to remove a defective clip, or to empty the channel for any reason,the cscapement lever a", being also in like manner preferably provided with a handle or projection u, by which it may be manually manipulated for the latter purpose.

To provide for this manual manipulation of the cscapement 11 when desired, and also to obviate possibility of damage by the use of rigid positive means of operation, I connect said escapement lever M, with the cam lever D", by means of a coiled spring 14 attached to an extension d, on said cam lever D, and to the upper arm a", of the escapement lever 24 as indicated in Fig. 38. Thus when the cam lever D", is in its raised normal position as shown in solid lines in said figure the spring a, holds the escapement lever 76 with its upper arm it, against the channel standard U, as in Fig. 9, and when it is lowered as in dotted lines in Fig. 38, it depresses the said escapement lever 14 into the position shown in Fig. 52, with its arm '11., in contact with the channel standard. This elastic resilient connection between the escapement and its actuating cam lever is amply suiiicient to operate the escapement without danger to the delicate clips, while admitting also of the manipulation of the escapement by hand when desirable, as is frequently the case in the operation of the machine on account of the presence of defective clips in the channel M.

In this connection it may be stated that the channel standard U, is so positioned with relation to the operator, that the clips in the channel a, are always exposed conveniently within the line of vision of said operator so that defective clips may be removed, or other precautions taken to prevent damage or delay. This is an important practical advantage in the operation of the machine in order to attain the best results therewith.

The envelop feed or work table W, upon which the envelop F, is positioned for subjection to the several simultaneous operations hereinbefore set forth, is supported upon a nut block w, adjustably mounted upon a vertical screw X, journaled in a pendent bracket X, the upper end of which is attached to the under side of the base or table a. The bracket X, is formed with the two rear extensions w, m, in and between which the adjusting screw X, is journaled,-said screw being provided with a stress collar m, bearing against the upper side of the lower extension m and with a crank 01 on its lower extremity beneath the said extension m as will be seen more particularly by reference to Fig. 35. The vertical member :12, of the bracket X, is formed with a longitudinal slot 22 (shown in Flg.

21) through which a forward extension w, of the nut block w, protrudes, and on this extension 10, the bifurcated lower end of the leg w of the work table W, is pivotally supported, as at w. The inclination of the work table W, is regulated and prescribed by a screw Y, the head i of which rests against and supports the leg to, while its upper end engages with a female screw thread formed for its reception in the nut plate to", secured to the top of the nut block 11;. It is obvious that this adjustment of inclination of the work table TV, may be effected by the use of other mechanical expedients with like result,the object of the adjustment being to compensate for any variation or irregularity in shape of a run of envelops so as to always have the clip fastening t, on the envelop body f, in operative alinement with the reinforced hole 8, in the flap f. If the envelop is perfectly rectangular in shape the work table W, should be horizontal as shown in solid lines in Figs. 21, and 35, but it frequently hap veniently counteract the defect. I In Fig. 35,

in which the work table is shown in dotted below the horizontal according to circumstances, but in any case is to bring the clip eyelet in the body of the envelop into correct central longitudinal alinement with th prong opening in the flap thereof.

The length of the supporting screw X, on which the work table W, is vertically adjustable, is sufficient to cover variations in width of envelops of from one to fourteen inches.

The position of the envelop on the work table W, is prescribed by a gage w, attached to the upright flange of a plate to, which is adjustably secured to the top of the table W, by thumb nuts w, engaging screws w on the table which project up through longitudinal slots 10, in the gagein between the die plates m, and j, the latter protruding into the open mouth of the envelop so that its forward portion may be utilized as an anvil support for the eyelet riveting mechanism as hereinbefore set forth, while the proper portion of the flap is interposed between the hole-perforating,

- sorted to without departing from the spirit and intent of my invention in this respect.

The operative use of the apparatus is as follows:

The eyelet riveting punch mechanism having been adjusted to a position in front of the hole punching and patching mechanism at which the axial distance between the two mechanisms is equal to the proper requisite distance between the eyelet clip applied to the body of the envelop and the reinforced prong hole formed for the reception of its prongs on the fla-p thereof, and the work table W, in a horizontal position, having been vertically adjusted to accommodate the width of the envelop, a trial envelop is positioned on the work table and the gage thereon set to limit and prescribe the distance the flap is to protrude between and beyond the patch dies and hole punch. The treadle is then depressed to release the clutch sleeve on the cam shaft, allowing it to engage with the power pulley to rotate the cam shaft. The treadle being immediately released, the cam shaft will make one revolution and then again come to rest for reasons hereinbefore set forth. During this revolution of the cam shaft a cycle of actions by the several mechanisms take place, i. 6., the patch dies remove a circular patch from each patch strip and press them against opposite sides of the envelop flap, and the imprint die acts on the strip s through the-ink ribbon to make the imprint for the next envelop, when the perforating die immediately thereafter punches the central prong opening through.

both patches and the envelop flap, forcing the severed wad into the discharge passage in the left hand patch die tube. Simultaneously the eyelet riveting punch has advanced, taken up the eyelet clip at thetbottom of the feed channel, and forced its eyelet through the opposed portion of the envelop body and against the upsetting die, which turns over and clenches the edges of the eyelet. After the punching of the prong hole inthe flap and patches as above stated the patch and print dies and the hole punch retire, when the forwarding cam raises its lever and with it the pawl which rotates the ratchet connected with the strip feed rolls thereby drawing the patch strips into position for the next reciprocation of the patch dies and punch. As the forwarding cam lever is allowed to resume its normal position during the completion of'rotation of the said cam, said lever, by its connection with the escapement lever on the clip .feed channel rocks said escapement so as to check off and release the next succeeding clip in the channel and allow it to descend into position for the next operative stroke of the eyelet-riveting punch. During the retractile movement of the cam lever D which actuates the right hand patch die and the imprint die, the spring pawl carried upon the outer end of said lever actuates the ratchet on the ink ribbon spindle to forward said ink ribbon to present a fresh surface for the next advance stroke of said imprint die.

The machine being new again at rest at the completion of this single revolution of the cam shaft, since the clutch sleeve has antomatically detached itself from the power pulley, and the detent lever hasagain engaged with its notch or depression in the strip forwarding cam (or in fact as soon as the retractile stroke of the dies and punches has begun) the envelop may be removed and examined. If found to be of imperfect rectangular shape, which will be indicated by lack of perfect alinement between the clip fastening on the envelop body and the prong opening in the flap thereof, the feed table is adjusted, in inclination to compen- 0 sate for such defect, and if the indications are that the defect extends through a run or batch of envelops such adjustment may be maintained for the time being. After the proper adjustment of the feed table is thus ascertained the feed to, and operation of, the apparatus may be conducted continuously, though intermittently, in that the treadle may be depressed practically as fast as a completed envelop can be withdrawn and. another substituted. And when it is con sidered that there are essentially four operations performed on each envelop treated, to wit, the application of the patches, the punching of the prong hole and the imprint on the reinforcing strip, and the application of the eyelet clip fastening to the bod} thereof. it is obvious that a very important saving is effected in both time and labor of manipulation, one handling of the envelop answering for all.

Incidentally it may be noted that by my special clip eyelet riveting means the eyelet is made to enetrate through the envelop body without previous or preparatory puncture thereof, a saving of what has heretofore constituted a separate operation.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is, 0

1. In apparatus of the character des1g nated, in combination, means for forming and reinforcing a clip-prong hole in the flap of an envelop, means for applying a pronged clip to the body thereof, a channel for feeding clips to said clip applying mechanism, means for adjusting the clip applying mechanism with relation to the hole forming and reinforcing mechanism, and means for adjusting said feed channel with relation to the said clip applying mechanism, for the purpose described.

2. In apparatus of the character designated, in combination, means for simultaneously forming and reinforcing a clip prong hole in and on an envelop flap, and means comprising an imprint die movable with said forming and reinforcing means for forming an imprint, of a detachable platen plate opposed to the im rint die and formed with a relief anvil sur ace, for'the purpose described.

3. In apparatus of the character desighated, the combination with mechanism for forming a clip prong hole in an envelop flap and for reinforcing the same by means of patches detached from gummed patch strips and applied to the envelop flap as set forth,

of a reciprocatory imprint die and a platen between which one of the patch strips is passed, said die being movable with the forming and reinforcing means, and said platen being formed with a relief anvil surface opposed to the printing surface on the imprint die for the purpose of reducing frictional contact with the gummed patch strip.

4. In apparatus of the character designated, the combination with mechanism for forming a clip prong hole in an envelop flap and for reinforcing the same by means of patches detached from glnnmed patch strips and applied to the envelop flap, of a reciprocatory imprint die and a detachable platen plate between which one of the patch strips is pressed, said die being movable with the forming and reinforcing means, and said 1 detachable platen plate being formed with a relief anvil surface opposed to the printing surfaces on the imprint die for the purpose of reducing frictional contact with the gummed patch strip.

\VALTER RICHARDSON. Witnesses:

G110. WM. Mm'rr, Dono'rnr Mmrr. 

